Ayodhya Kaanda
91 - Bharata's arrival at Prayaga and dialogue between Bharata and the sage Bharadvaja
Chaupais
Description
"Here is an assembly of sages and we stand at a place which is known as the king of sacred places. Great harm will come to a man if he states even a fact on oath at such a place. And if one tells a lie there will be no greater sin and depravity. I speak out the truth knowing as I do that you are all-wise, while the Lord of Raghus has access to the inmost recesses of one's heart. I am not at all sorry for what my mother has done nor am I troubled at heart over the thought that the world will look upon me as mean. I fear not lest I should spoil my future life nor do I grieve over my father's death, whose meritorious deeds and fair renown shine forth throughout the universe, who had sons like Laksmana and Sri Rama, and who quitted his frail body as a result of his separation from Sri Rama. Thus there is hardly any occasion for lamentation on his account. What pains me is that dressing themselves as hermits Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita roam from forest to forest without shoes on their feet."